The Life That I Knew(Edward's Story)

[Vivienne Valora]

The Life That I Knew
The Story of Edward Valora
by Vivienne Valora

Chapter One

Heroes Come And Go


I can remember her as if it had been just yesterday that I laid my eyes upon her. She was perfect. Her eyes were already a bright hazel and she had a mess of curly, thin, brown hair atop her small head. Her tiny fist closed around my finger and a smile was present in my boyish features. Gemma Valora was the perfect baby sister and I vowed that day that I would never allow ill to befall her. No creature on the planet or the next could harm my sister while I was alive.

I could hear my mother dragging a fidgeting Mace off to take a bath. He was covered in mud from head to toe and mother had had a fit. He was lucky that father wasn't around or he surely would have met the belt with his demeanor that day. Mace had been acting up since Gemma had been born and who could blame him? He was no longer the center of attention. Of course mother and father loved us all just the same, but there is something about being the youngest child that seems to make things easier and perhaps in the long run somewhat harder, but you always seem to get that attention that the others do not.

Bryant stood beside, looking down at her with a wrinkled nose. "She's kinda funny looking..." he said, popping a chocolate from a nearby candy dish into his mouth. Bryant was my best friend. He had grown up in the town nearby. We had been seven years old at the time and my brother Mace was five.

My head snapped to the side and I clenched my fist. "What did you say?" I hissed at him, unusually defensive. "She's a baby. She's perfect." The windows started to rattle and I took a deep, calming breath to stay under control. I had a short temper as a child, much like most of the Valora family. The rattling stopped and I glanced toward the wash room where my mother was with Mace, hoping she hadn't noticed.

"Sorry Ed, jeez..." Bryant said, rolling his eyes. "It's not like I said she was ugly. Just funny looking. No need to lose control on me." He looked out the window and sighed. "It's getting late and Uncle expects me home in time for dinner. I'll see you tomorrow Eddie..."

I nodded at his words and kept my eyes on Gemma as he left. It was a little while when Aunt Clarice walked into the room, looking for my mother. She screeched a little and I jumped, looking at her with a confused look on my face. Gemma bean to cry as Clarice began to reprimand me. "Bothering the baby!" she scoffed, shaking her head at me. "Just wait until I tell your mother Edward Valora! Look at you, your hands are filthy! Now shoo, your father is expecting you in his office. Go on now, shoo..." She grabbed me by the ear and I winced as she pulled my out of the room and into the hall, slamming the door like the nasty old hag she was... and still is, behind me.

I grumbled and mumbled a few angry profanities that surely would have earned me a beating. I made my way to fathers office, dragging my feet a little. I knocked on his office door and opened it once I heard a "Come in." Bowing my head slightly, I walked in, glancing over at him sitting behind his desk. "Father," I said, standing across from him, wondering if I was in trouble. My father was a good fair man, but he was still not one to cross. "You called for me?"

My father looked up at me and nodded toward one of the seats in front of his desk. "Take a seat son..." He flipped through a few papers for a few minutes, sighing or grunting and sometimes shaking his head a little as he flipped through them. I waited with my eyes upon the floor and my hands folded. My hands were getting sweaty and I gulped, nervous as I wondered what I had done. Finally, my father set his papers aside and folded his hands on top of his desk, peering down at me. "Edward..." he said, his voice serious. "You're getting older now and I think it's time we started discussing your future..."

I relaxed a little and sat up straighter at my father's words. "What do you mean papa?" I asked him, confused. After all, I was only seven at the time. Though I was quite brilliant for my age, I still could not guess as to what he was getting at.

"What I mean is son," he said, sitting back ing his chair and pulling off his reading glasses to clean them. "I won't be around forever. One day, you will be the one to take over Valora Academy. You are the oldest and next in line. It is your birthright."

"But what about Mace?" I asked him, tilting my head to the side in wonder. "Or Gemma? What about them papa?"

"Mace will inherit the Academy under certain circumstances," my father said with a sigh. "For instance, if something were to happen to you and you had no heirs, Mace would assume headmastership over the school. Or if you were to deny your inheritance and perhaps ran off to join the circus and either had no heirs or they too denied their claim, Mace would become headmaster. The same would go for Gemma, though she is next to Mace in line. Now Edward, I must ask you now. Do you plan on taking over the school? It requires training and hard work. It will not be easy, but I believe you are more than capable..."

I smiled slightly at my father's circus comment. I though about what he had said for a moment, turning his words around in my head and examining things from every angle. He continued to study me, expectant. "Yes papa," I said, looking up into his deep hazel eyes. "I'll do whatever it takes..."

"Good!" my father boomed, pleased by my answer. "Now that that's settled, why don't you run off and play? I have work to do but I shall be home shortly."

"In time for another story papa?" I asked him, my eyes wide with excitement. My father had a way with words and his stories left you with your heart pounding and your ears ringing.

"Of course, now run along Eddie." He waved his hand, dismissing me and I ran off.

I wandered out into the forest, savoring the hour or so I had left until I was the one being forced into the bath. A group of my friends were playing by the edge of the forest and I walked by them. My dear cousin Eleanor rushed up to me, walking beside me as I began my stroll through the forest. "I could hear her sister Lita arguing with my friend, Elias Calder behind us and I shook my head at them.

"Eddie!" she said, her braids bouncing a little as she walked beside me. "What did your father want? You aren't in trouble are you?" She looked at me, worried for a moment and I continued on.

"No," I told her, stepping over a log. "He just wished to talk is all. He says I'm to take over the school. Wants me to start getting ready." I sighed and sat down on a rock near the river, tilting my head up to look at the sky.

Eleanor saw my obvious worry. "What is wrong?" she asked, tilting her head and sitting beside me. "You seem troubled..." She put a hand on my arm and I pulled away, fearing cooties.

"It's nothing Elle..." I said, slightly annoyed. I looked over at her and my expression softened at her confused and worried look. "Papa says he won't be around forever... You don't think he's dying do you?"

Elle shook her head, giving me a weird look. "He's perfectly healthy," she said, rolling her eyes. "Believe me, I would know. Do not fret Eddie, he will live long at this rate." She sat there with me for a few moments until the sound of my Aunt Isadora calling for Eleanor and Lita drifted across the grounds. Eleanor looked over at me and hpped down off the boulder. "Sorry Eddie, gotta go. Don't worry, Uncle Leon is in perfect health..." She kissed me quickly on the cheek and skipped off, running for the school.

"Yes," I said, still a little worried. Sure, he might be in perfect health now, but one day he would have to die, wouldn't he? "Bye Elle, thanks..." I sat there for a while longer than intended. I had been lost in my thoughts after Elle had left and the sound of father's voice drifted toward me. I sighed, wanting to kick myself. Great, I was late and mama's temper had been shorter than usual lately what with the baby. "I'm right here!" I called reluctantly to my father.

He walked into the clearing, shaking his head. "Boy are you in for it," he said, taking my hand. "Your mother started freaking out half an hour ago. She thought yu had been eaten by a pack of hungry wolves. Lets go kiddo..." I sighed and followed my father, wondering how much longer I had with him. I would treasure every moment. I had no idea then exactly how difficult life would get. i had no idea that the name Valora was nothing short of a death sentence. I didn't know that my family could be ripped away at any given moment, leaving me with nothing, Perhaps if I had known, I would have been prepared.

[Vivienne Valora]

Chapter Two

One Man Wrecking Machine


Lynda Aracely. I had first set my eyes on her in the courtyard up at the school. It was late on a cold December night and I was fifteen years old. Mace and I were carrying a Christmas tree up to the school for our apartment while mother and Gemma baked cookies. Father was in his office, busy with paper work at the moment.

My jaw dropped open at the sight of her as we carried the tree. She had long brown, curly hair and the greenest eyes I had ever seen. Her skin was pale and her face slightly pink from the cold as snow was drifting down from the night sky. I carried the stump of the tree and walking backwards, gaping at her as Mace spoke. I was unable to comprehend what he was saying and then...

WHAM!

I blinked up at the starry sky, dazed and confused. Mace's face swam in and out of my vision and the words that came out of his mouth were drowned out by the odd rushing sound that filled my ears. "Ow..." I groaned, blinking. The world was spinning and my vision blurred.

"Is he alright?" I heard her ask, kneeling next to me and looking down at me with a worried look.

Mace looked up at the girl, gaping slightly. "Umm..." he said, looking back down at me. "I don't know." Stupid brothers.

"What happened?" I gasped. My vision was beginning to clear, but my head was pounding.

"You just backed into a pole..." she said, gently touching the side of my face with a gloved hand. "You hit your head and the tree trunk rammed into your stomach. That was a nasty fall, I've never seen anything that ever looked quite so painful.

That explained my aches and pains than. I groaned and went to sit up when she put a hand on my chest to keep me down. "I think we should go get someone to help you," she said, shaking her her head. "You might have hurt yourself badly."

"I'm fine," I said, trying to act tough. I got to my feet, waving her hand away. Standing made my head spin ten times worse and I swayed on my feet. I would have fallen to the ground again if she and Mace hadn't caught me. They kept me steady and started to lead me slowly to the school, my arms around both their shoulders.

"No you're not," she said, rolling her eyes at me. Mace led the way up the flights of stairs to our apartment and opened the door.

The sound of my mother's screech echoed through the room and I swear to this day that my ears nearly started to bleed. "WHAT HAPPENED?!"she screamed, rushing over and and helping me into a chair. "EDDIE?! ARE YOU ALRIGHT?! SPEAK TO ME!"

"Ma, I'm fine..." I said, blinking up at her, a little annoyed as she started to bustle around the kitchen. Gemma came over to me, worried, and climbed up onto my lap. I wrapped my arms around her and looked up at the girl and Mace who stood off to the side now.

"Are you okay Eddie?" Gemma asked me in a sweet, worried tone.

"Yes Gem," I said, kissing the top of her head. "I only bumped my head, I'll be fine."

"What were you doing this time Edward?" Mother asked, lifting my chin and checking my eyes. "You nearly gave me a heart attack."

"He backed into a pole Mama," Mace chimed in, taking a spoonful of cookie dough while her back was turned.

"Backed into a pole?" she asked, narrowing her eyes and shaking her head in disbelief. "Mace Valora keep your fingers out of that dough!" She looked back at him with a hand on her hips and gave him a death stare. "I'll be right back. Mace, keep an eye on your sister..."

Mama left the room and I sighed, looking over at the girl. "Sorry about that," I said to her with an apologetic smile. "I'm Edward by the way. Edward Valora."

"Lynda Aracely," she said with a smile, looking down at me and then looking at the clock. "I'm sorry, I have to go Edward. I'll see you later?" She gave a sweet smile that made my heart pound in my ears as she backed toward the door.

"Um," I said, stunned. "Yes... call me Eddie." I smiled at her, wanting to kick myself for being a gaping idiot.

"Alright... Eddie," she said, waving her hand slightly before she left, closing the door behind her. I sat back, dazed, in my seat and looking down at Gemma who I had not realized had been smearing flour all over my winter coat. Mama came back a few minutes later, dragging a worried looking father with her.

[Vivienne Valora]

Chapter 3

And So It All Began


It was the beginning of my junior year at Valora Academy. I walked down the hall as if I owned the place, mostly because I really did own the place. Well, sort of. Bryant was walking on my right and Elias on my left. I had a few books in my hand as we made our way toward the library. I was looking the other way when I bumped into someone who had been walking out of one of the classrooms. I accidentally knocked her books out of her hands and my face grew slightly warm from embarrassment.  I was not normally so clumsy, but I had my moments like the rest of us.

The girl was Anne Garland. I had known her since she had started out at Valora freshman year. "Sorry Anne," I mumbled as Bryant and Elias laughed behind me. I kept my eyes on the floor and helped her gather the many books and papers. Another hand reached down to pick up the book I had been about to reach for and I looked up to see Lynda, helping us out. Lynda and I had become good friends since the tree incident. I cursed myself silently as it seemed Lynda always showed up during my clumsiest moments.

"Thanks Lyn..." I said, glancing up at her and ten back at the floor. I looked over at Anne who glanced from Lynda to me and then back again. He face flushed and she got to her feet.

"Thanks Eddie," Anne said, not looking at me again. "Lynda." She sniffed and gave us a curt nod before walking off and disappearing in the swarm of students on their way to and from class.

Lynda frowned and watched her go. "No matter what I do," she said, shaking her head and shooting Bryant and Elias a warning look. "She never seems to like me. Have I done anything to upset her?"

I blinked and stared at her for a moment, contemplating her question. "I don't think so..." I said, shaking my head and standing up straight. "Maybe she just... um..." I couldn't think of anything to say.

"Nice going Eddie," Elias said, shaking his head and standing beside me. His face was red from laughter and I scowled at him. Bryant clapped a hand on my shoulder and smiled at Lynda. There was a gleam in his eyes that I decided not to pay attention to. Bryant was always checking out the ladies.

Lynda sighed and stared off at the crowd of students. "She hates me, I knew it..." Her green eyes traveled back at me and she smiled at me. "So Eddie... You going to the dance this Saturday night?"

Bryant cocked a surprised eyebrow and looked over at me, apparently waiting to hear what I would say. I cleared my throat and shot a look at Elias as I heard him chuckle beside me. "Um," I said, looking back at her. "Yeah, I'll be there. You?"

"Yes, well..." she said, shifting the weight of her books to her other hand. "I was kind of hoping I would see you there. Perhaps you could save a dance for me?" She raised her eyebrows and gave me an innocent look that made my heart melt.

"Sure," I said, giving her a charming smile. "As many dances as you want." I smacked Bryant in the back of the head as he began to interject and kept my eyes on her as her face turned a little pink. Brant rubbed the back of his head and cursed as Elias started to laugh again.

"Then I guess I'll see you then..." she smiled and started to walk off, waving at me. I smiled triumphantly and watched her leave then jumped in the air, punching my fist up into the air.

"YES!" I said, ignoring the stares I received from people passing by. Bryant continued to stare at the spot where Lynda had walked off into the crowd, a frown on his face. I should have known right then and there as I saw the look on Bryant's face, but decided to ignore it. It would have saved me a lot of pain in the long run.

••••••••••

"Eddie, why can't I go to the dance?" Gemma pouted, looking up at me with her big, wide hazel eyes. I was having difficulty with my tie and Gemma was only making matters worse. Mace was practicing his piano playing and that only added to my irritation as he struck the wrong key and had to begin again.

"Because Gemma," I said to her for what seemed like the hundredth time. "You're too young. You can start going to the dances when you're older and start your classes. I'm sorry Gem, but that's the way it is." I sighed in frustration and started over again with my tie, fumbling with it.

"But you could take me," she whined. "Couldn't you?"

"I already have a date Gem. And there's no way I'm taking my sister to a school dance."

"Please?" she asked, begging now.

"No," I said plainly.

"Please Eddie?"

"I said no."

"But I said please Eddie!"

"And I said no Gemma," I scowled, my anger rising.

"PLEASE?!"

"I SAID NO GEMMA!" I turned on my heel to face her, my face red with anger as I screamed at her. "NOW LEAVE ME ALONE!"

Gemma started to cry and I felt my heart sink a little as she ran off. Father opened the door and she ran by him, tears falling down her face. "What's all the yelling for?" he asked me as Gemma ran out to complain to mother.

"Nothing, she was bothering me..." I said, turning back to the mirror and starting over with my tie.

"She just wants to be with you..." father said, walking up behind me and helping me with my tie. "She looks up to you."

"I know that, but does she have to be so annoying?" I scowled at myself in the mirror and looked at his reflection.

"She's only nine Edward," he said, turning me around and straightening my tie for me. "There, is that better?"

"Yes, thank you sir..." I said, sighing and pulling on the tie a little. "It's just... I want to be able to think for once. But I never have the time to think what with Gemma's complaining and that racket that Mace calls music."

"Ah..." Papa said, holding me at arms length by the shoulders. "I know how that feels, believe me. But think of it this way Eddie. One day Gemma might not be there to complain and Mace might not be there to make that racket. What will you do with your life then? Cherish what you have while it lasts Ed. Nothing lasts forever, believe me, I know."

"Yeas sir," I grumbled as my mother called me downstairs into the living room. Bryant and Elias had arrived so that we could head down to the dance together. Looking back at that little talk with my father, I know I should have listened to him. I had taken things for granted and because of it I had lost that which had been dearest to me at the moment. If I had listened and I had not ignored his warning, perhaps I would not have done the things that still haunt me to this day.

[Vivienne Valora]

Chapter 4

I'll Stop The World


I can still remember the first attack. Every battle, every fight, and every loss is still fresh in my head as if it had happened just yesterday. It was nearly summer and senior year was coming to a close. Father was away on a business trip and I was sitting in the library with Lynda. We had been promised to each other and I couldn't help but spend every waking moment with her. I didn't care how much Mace, Bryant or Elias laughed at us or teased me. It was all worth it. I had given her a silver necklace with a green stone to match her eyes. She wore it all the time and it was rare to see her without it.

"What are you staring at?" I heard Lynda ask me.

My face flushed as I realized I had been gazing at her for the past five minutes. "Sorry," I said, flashing her a half smile. "I was just thinking how lucky I am to have you..." I watched with a satisfied smile as her cheeks turned red.

She had been about to say something back to me when Mace ran into the library, spotting me. He was out of breath and I knew immediately that something was wrong. "ED!" he said, gasping for air and bending over with his hands on his knees. His girlfriend, Cara rushed in behind him, taking hold of his arm to help calm him.

"What's wrong?" I demanded, getting to my feet. Lynda stood up beside me and thats when we heard the start of the battle. There were loud bangs outside and I could hear the screams and hurried footsteps echoing out in the hall. "WHAT HAPPENED MACE?!"

"Someone is attacking the school," he managed to get out, looking up at me. Lynda and I exchanged worried glances and it took a moment for me to realize that everyone in the library had their eyes on me. My father was gone and I was in charge. They were expecting orders.

No matter how much you train for this kind of thing, the real thing is nothing compared to the training. If you mess up while training, you start again. If you mess up during battle, you die.

"DON YOUR ARMOR!" I commanded, surprised by the affect my orders had. "GRAB YOUR WEAPONS! THIS IS NOT A DRILL PEOPLE! NOW!" I walked briskly with an air of command about me toward the battle tower. Lynda helped me strap on my armor and handed me my sword. "Mace, go and fetch Oriana," I said to him when he was done with his own armor.

Cara, who had followed us to the tower as well, followed after Mace. With the two of them now gone, Lynda and I were alone. "Lyn..." I said, turning to her. "I don't want you to fight in this battle..."

"Don't be ridiculous Eddie," she said to me, strapping on her own armor. "I'm going to fight alongside you."

"No, please Lyn," I said, putting a hand over hers so she would stop. "I couldn't bear it if anything were to happen to you. Please, don't do this to me..."

"Eddie, I'm going to fight alongside you whether you like it or not," she said stubbornly. "I'm not going to wait up in a tower to see if you live through this. I won't do it. I'm going with you."

"Lynda, please," I begged.

"Edward, I'm not going to hide behind you. I was trained for this just as well as you were. I'm fighting with you Ed," she gave me a look that I just couldn't argue with and I knew I would not win this one.

••••••••••

The battle had been going on for hours. Mace was unconscious and my mother was tending to him. I was sitting upon Oriana's back with Lynda's arm around my waist as we hacked at the warriors around us. We were surrounded now. Hold on you two... Oriana said into my mind before she reared and stomped on a few soldiers in front of us.

I smiled as we gained some ground, but the smile quickly faded as I heard a scream off to my right. A masked soldier had grabbed Gemma by the wrist and was yanking her away toward the forest. ORIANA! I yelled, panicked, into her mind.

I see her. Hang on...

Lynda gasped and held onto me tighter as Oriana dashed toward the forest edge. The soldiers that led my sister away looked back to see us in pursuit and hopped onto their horses. They started to run and Oriana gained speed. We came up beside them and I swung my sword at them and they blocked my attacks.

Gemma tried to reach for me, but the soldier who held her atop his steed, pulled her back. "EDDIE!" she screeched and I felt my heart sink as I started to doubt myself, fearing I would lose her right then and there.

"Gemma hold on!" I heard Lynda call out to her. I could see Gemma's tears and I looked ahead to see we were heading straight for a tree. Oriana veered off to the left and then we were beside the soldiers again.

My eyes turned a deep shade of gold and a rock flew at one of the horses. I was too weary from battle to do much else, but my effort had paid off as the man was thrown from his spooked horse. I glanced back at Lynda as I felt her move behind me and was startled to see her jump from Oriana's back and onto the back of the second soldiers horse. "ARE YOU CRAZY?!"

Leave her be Eddie, Oriana said to me galloping faster and faster. She knows what it is she is doing and she knows the risks. You have bigger problems at the moment...

I nodded, torn as I saw Lynda battling with the soldier off to our right. I nearly turned back as the two were thrown from the horse and started to battle on foot, but Lynda appeared to be unharmed and bounced back into action.

I turned to face forward again to see that the soldier had stopped, unable to cross the river up ahead. An arrow was being aimed straight at me and my eyes grew wide. "NO!" I shouted, just as he shot the arrow. The arrow whizzed by my face and I felt its sharp edge slice through the side of my face as Oriana veered off to the side a little again.

The soldier pulled another arrow from his quiver and I watched with horror as Gemma slipped from his grasp and jumped at him, fighting over the bow. They, along with the horse, toppled into the river and Oriana came to a halt at the edge. "GEM!" I screamed, panicked.

I hopped from Oriana's back and didn't head the warnings she shouted into my mind. I dove into the water and swam with the strong current. It was too strong for Gemma and I knew that she might drown. But that only forced me to go farther and gave me the energy and emotion I needed to drive myself onward.

I grabbed hold of the soldier from beneath the water and we both tried to gain the upper hand, trying to hold the other beneath the water. I kept a tight hold on my sword which was not easy and I saw that he did the same. Kicking the man away, I pushed myself back up to the surface, gasping for air.

"EDDIE!" Gemma cried, struggling to stay above the surface of the rapidly flwoing water. It was harder to see her now as it had grown darker, but I managed to spot her up ahead. "HANG ON GEM! I'M COMING!" The soldier grabbed me from behind and forced me back under. Air whooshed out of my mouth and lungs as he jammed his fist into my gut. Choking and panicking, I kicked at him and thrashed at him with my sword as best as I could. My sword cut into his ribs, slicing open his skin.

I pushed myself back up to the surface and tried to get to Gemma. I held my hand out to her and she stretched hers toward mine. We gasped hands firmly and I pulled her closer, looking around for the soldier. Out of breath and energy, I pulled Gemma with me toward the edge of the river, grabbing hold of a branch and pulling us onto land. We crawled away from the water together, collapsing against a nearby tree. Gemma was shaking and shivering and I knelt before her, taking her into my arms and hugging her tightly. "You're safe now Gem, I've got you," I cooed to her, holding her close.

"Eddie..." she said and I heard the panic in her voice. I turned back to see the soldier coming at us. I was still on the ground and shielding my sister from his attacks. I raised my sword just in time as his came down toward me. I gritted my teeth as he pushed his sword down, the impact jarring him slightly. He moved swiftly and kicked the sword from my hand before hitting me in the side of the head with the hilt of his sword. He raised the sword again to deliver the final blow as I lay there, defenseless and bleeding.

A whizzing sound filled the air and the man fell to the ground with an arrow protruding from his throat. I heard the sound of galloping horses and the clashing of armor as a group of horses surrounded us. I was able to make out my father along with Elias and Lynda who sat upon Oriana's back as well as a few others. I was happy to see that Lynda's injuries were only minor.

Confused as to how my father had gotten there when he was supposed to be away, I groaned and collapsed beside the crying Gemma. My father had a bow in his hand, so I assumed he had been the one to shoot the soldier. "Edward," my father said, rushing to my side and putting a hand beneath my head to hold it up as he looked down at me. "Stay awake son. You did a fine job. I'm proud of you kiddo. Now stay awake until we can get you to Eleanor..."

I passed out soon after, unable to stay awake. I had learned a lesson that day, but it hadn't been enough to stop what would someday happen.

[Vivienne Valora]

Chapter 5

The Dark That Fills My Mind


It was nearly a year after graduation when Lynda left me. We had been arguing constantly and she had been unable to take it anymore. I had become wrapped up in my work and had barely spent a moment with her. I sat in my mother's kitchen with my face buried in my hands. My eyes were red and I was speechless. My mother sat there with her cup of tea, reading Lynda's letter silently. She finished and put it down, remaining silent for a few minutes. "Perhaps it wasn't meant to be Eddie..." she said softly.

I sniffed and wiped at my eyes. "But it was mama..." I said, feeling like a foolish child. "I messed up. I should have seen this coming. I should have stopped it. Now she's gone. I don't know what I'm going to do now."

"Edward, listen to me..." mother said, trying to sooth me. "You made a mistake, we all do. Now you can learn from this. Everything will be okay sweety..."

"NO IT WON'T!" I yelled, frustrated, pushing myself out of the chair and knocking my tea cup to the floor. The cup shattered and my mother at there, shocked by my rashness. "I'VE LOST HER! DON'T YOU GET IT! SHE'S GONE! I RUINED IT! HOW CAN I MOVE ON?!"

"Eddie-"

"YOU KNOW WHAT, SAVE IT MA!" I yelled at her, grabbing my jacket. "I'M GETTING OUT OF HERE! TELL FATHER... WELL< TELL HIM TO SHOVE IT UP HIS A-"

"EDWARD!"

I ignored her and stalked out of the kitchen and out of the apartment, slamming the door behind me. I passed by a gaping Elias and Bryant on my way out of the school. They were training to become teachers and must have heard about Lynda. Elias appeared worried, but I could not place Bryant's expression since it did not really matter to me at the moment. I passed by Mace and Cara who were sitting outside in the courtyard. It was January and snow was falling from the sky once more, covering the ground completely. I made my way out to the stables and started to prepare Oriana for the long journey ahead.

I had been at it for a few minutes when I heard a voice behind me. "You're leaving Eddie?"

I turned to see my twelve year old sister, staring at me with a hurt look in her deep hazel eyes. "Yes Gemma," I said, turning back to Oriana who snorted with worry. She was obviously holding back her words of warning. "I'm leaving."

"For how long though?" she asked me, standing by the door to the stall. "When will you be back?"

"I don't know Gemma," I said, sighing in frustration.

"Where are you go-"

"I DON'T KNOW GEMMA!" I shouted at her and the words echoed all around us. We were both silent for a moment and I saw the tears in her eyes. She tuned on her heel and ran off and I watched her go before I turned back to Oriana and led her out of the stall. "Don't you say anything Oriana, we're getting out of here!" Oriana snorted with slight anger but did not argue.

As you wish...

[Vivienne Valora]

Chapter Six

The Sun Will Set For You


It would be years before Oriana and I returned to Valora Academy. It was just after my twenty fourth birthday when I received the news. I had bumped into an old friend at an Inn somewhere on the west coast. It was Bryant Rune and he had come looking for me. Things had not been the same since I had left and he had hoped that I would consider coming back. I had been traveling for the past five years with Oriana. I had not contacted my family since my departure and I was not the least bit sorry.

"Eddie, your mother has been worried sick about you," Bryant said to me as we walked down the street toward the local pub. "Your father hardly speaks and did you know that Mace has joined the army?"

"Mace has joined the army..." I repeated, shaking my head and sighing. "I'm sorry Bry, but I'm not going home. But.... why the hell did Mace join the army?"

"He said he needed something to do with his life. Writes home all the time though. Unlike some people I know..."

"Oh shut up Bry..."

"I'm serious Ed, it's not the end of the world..."

"I mean it Rune, one more word and-"

"Wait, okay," Bryant said with a sigh. "That's not why I came... It's Gemma..."

I continued walking, so far unfazed by the direction the conversation had taken. "What about her?"

"Eddie, she's missing..."

I stopped dead in my tracks and turned back to Bryant. "What do you mean she's missing Bry?!"

"Eddie, I'm sorry," he said, looking away from me. "We've searched everywhere for her. They think something might have happened..." I knew right then and there that I was on my way back home...

••••••••••

Valora Academy had not changed much in the five years I had been away. The school looked the same, it was the people who were different. The exception was the stables. They had burned down a few weeks before, apparently on the same night that Gemma had gone missing.

I walked to my father's office, ignoring curious stares thrown my way. Most of the students had no idea who I was so it was mostly the teachers and staff who stopped to stare. I gave a curt nod to Elias who stopped in his tracks with a stack of papers in his hands to look up and gape at me.

It had been a long time and I had grown more. I was stronger and more fit and my features were manlier, but I had nothing to be proud of. I knocked on my father's door and heard his familiar "Come in."

His office had not changed either. Same desk, same chairs and bookshelves, same window view and the same portraits on the walls. My father looked up from his work and if he was surprised to see me, he did not show it. "Edward," he said plainly, getting to his feet and pulling off his reading glasses.

"Sir," I said, nodding my head ever so slightly and standing like a soldier as I had been trained. My father crossed the room and took in the sight of me for a few moments before he pulled me into a hug.

••••••••••

We found her body in the forest of the mountains. Oriana had helped me carry her back. It was a grizzly sight that made me retch and fall to my knees, blinded by tears. My sister was gone. They had killed her and I vowed that one way or another I would get revenge for her murder. Guilt ripped at my insides as i remembered the last time I had seen her. If I had known...

I shook my head to clear my thoughts as I led Oriana back to the school. My mother saw us coming through the night and ran to us with tears in her eyes. I could not bear the weeping. I saw my father reduced to tears for the first time in my life. Gemma had been his little girl and now she was gone.

I choked, trying desperately to hold back my tears. If I had not left, it would not have happened this way. I would have been there to protect her. I had let her down and broken my promise.

My mother clung to her body, sobbing and pleading with any god that might exist. Each of us had blamed ourselves in some way, but I knew for sure that the fault was mine. But I swore to one day make things right again, no matter what. I would find my sister's killer.

••••••••••

Mace had flown out for the funeral. It was raining as we stood in the graveyard, barely listening to the words spoken by the priest. I stood apart from my family, unable to be so near them just yet. Mace stood beside Cara who held his hand tightly as tears streaked down her face. My father held my mother as she was blinded by her tears for her lost daughter. Mace's eyes were locked on me. He was in his army attire and stood like a soldier. His eyes were bloodshot, though I did not witness him shedding any tears. I knew from the sad, broken down look he gave me that he blamed me as well.

I knew I would have to earn his trust back somehow along with everybody else's. But first I would have to earn my own trust back...